Axle.



No. 777,243. PATENTED DEC. 13, 1904.

G. P. CLARK.

' AXLE.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 8. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

w E Q E i s1" fifiaizayfi iarfi 1 messes Inventor,

Httornegs UNITED STATES Patented December 13, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHANCY PHILIP CLARK, ()F CHATTANOOGA, 'llGNNESSEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 777,243, dated December13, 1904.

Application filed August 3, 1904. Serial No. 219,344:- (No model.)

To aZZ 1071,0117, it may concern.-

Be it knownthat I, CHANOY PHILIP CLARK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and State ofTennessee, have invented a new and useful Axle, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wheel-axles, and has for itsprincipal object to provide a novel form of wheel-axle in which thewheels may be rigidly secured to the axle, the latter being mounted forrevoluble movement within a suitable support.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which will permit of the ready assembling of the parts andtheir ready disconnection for inspection or repairs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved hearingsin which provision is made for the retention of a comparatively largequantity of lubricating material, so that frequent renewal of the supplywill not be necessary.

l Vith these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafterappear, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangementof parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it beingunderstood that various changes in the form, proportions, size, andminor details of the structure may be made without departing fromthespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages oi the invention.

in the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal sectionalelevation of a portion ofa wheel-axle and its supporting deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlargedsectional view of one of the ball-bearings. Fig. 3 is a transversesectional elevation of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4c is asimilar view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. 7

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The working parts are arranged within a casing 1, that preferably is inthe form of a metallic tube rigidly secured to a suitable portion of thevehicle and extending preferably for the full width thereof.

Within the casing 1 arearranged two sets of sleeves 2, each set forminga part of bearings for the support of an axle member 3, which projectsbeyond the end of the casing and is adapted to receive a wheel of anydesired character.

Each of the sleeves 2 is formed of two semicylindrical memberathedivision-line between them being in the horizontal plane of the axis, asindicated in Fig. 3, and at the ends of each sleeve areinwardly-projecting flanges l, and from these extend annular end flanges5, provided with screw-threads for the reception of ring-nuts 6, bymeans of which the end members of the sleeve may be secured together. Atthe longitudinal center of the sleeve is an annular rib 7, grooved toform a ball-race 8, and at a point in alinement with the ball-race isdrilled an opening 9, through which lubrieating material may beintroduced.

On the axle or shaft is placed a collar 10, that is confined, in placeby set-screws or bolts 11, and at points intermediate of the length ofthe collar are two spaced annular flanges 12, the space between thembeing of a width slightly greater than the width of the rib 7, andmidway of the width of the space is an annular groove 13, forming aball-race,.the two ball-races receiving an annular row ofantifriction-balls 14:. The outer walls of the flanges 12 are arrangedon curved lines, asv

shown, in order to facilitate the flow of oil up over them and to theball-containingspace.

In some cases the parts of the sleeve are first placed on and secured tothe shaft, and

'aiterward the two members of each collar are placed in position andunited by ringnuts 6. The parts may then be forced inward bodily untilthe openings formed in the casing and sleeve for the introduction oflubricant are in alinement, after which lockingscrews 15 may be passedthrough openings formed in the casing to engage with and hold the sleevefrom turning.

The arrangement is such that the outer sleeve 2 will hold a very largequantity of lubricating material. When the vehicle is at rest, thislubricating material will accumulate in the lower half of the sleeve,but Will not overflow, and as soon as the axle or shaft commences torotate the lubricating material will be turned around With it and allparts of the ball-race will be thoroughly lubricated Without any dangerof the leakage of oil at the hubs of the vehicle-Wheels.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is 1. Thecombination with a casing open at one end, of an axle, a pair of collarsrigidly secured thereto, sectional ball-bearing sleeves surrounding thecollars, antifriction-balls disposed between the collars and sleeves,means independent of the casing for securing the sections of the sleevesto each other, the tWo sets of sleeves and their bearing-balls beingbodily removable with the axles and collars through the end opening ofthe casing, and means for securing the sleeves to said casing.

2. The combination with a casing, of a revoluble member, a ball-bearingsleeve secured thereto, a sectional ball-bearing sleeve sur rounding thefirst, and each of the sections having a threaded flange, ring-nutsadapted to the threaded flanges and serving to confine the sections inplace, and means for securing the outer sleeve to said casing.

3. The combination with a casing, of a revoluble member, a ball-bearingsleeve secured thereto, a sectional ball-bearing sleevehaving reducedend portions forming threaded flanges, ring-nuts adapted to the threadedflanges and serving as a means for confining the sections in place,there being interengagingflanges carried by both sleeves for preventingindependent longitudinal movement of either.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHANCY PHILIP CLARK.

Witnesses:

W. W. RUTLEDGE, J. W. HIXON.

